Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

[The Doctor]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

With Brennan Stack - is it a concentration thing? A fitness thing? Seemed to be having a very good pre-season, but has dropped off pretty quickly based on the reports the last few weeks.

I created a thread on Stacky a while back with the inference that he was the most fascinating player on our list. I think he still is.

Yesterday he played mainly as a deep forward moving out to half forward at times. Perhaps he was playing to a set game plan or following a direct instruction it is hard to say. I certainly don't think it is a fitness thing as he looks in great shape, in fact he looks awesome. Concentration? Hard to say on one viewing.

What I would have like to have seen from him yesterday was free license to roam all over the forward line and inject himself into it a lot more. Three goals was not a bad return but I would liked to have seen him create a few more and end up with 4 or 5 and dish a few others off.

What is his best position? Perhaps that is what the Willi coaches and our development coaches are trying to find out.

[Scorlibo]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

Out of interest, where has Rocket stated that O'Keefe is not ready for AFL footy?

[Bornadog]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

I think the only reason he rucked today was that Cloke was injured early (didn't see what happened).I also loved the game O'Keefe played but I thought the work rate of an overweight Egan really gave Willy some added bite!!

They didn't go into the game with too many options for Ruck. I agree with GVGjr that Cordy shouldn't be rucking, but yesterday there were no other options. Willi needs to find a solution as Roughhead is still a few weeks away.

[comrade]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

They didn't go into the game with too many options for Ruck. I agree with GVGjr that Cordy shouldn't be rucking, but yesterday there were no other options. Willi needs to find a solution as Roughhead is still a few weeks away.

I think Wight was picked to help out in the ruck but when Cloke went down, had to hold down a key defensive post.

They need a genuine ruckman to help Skipper, which means Shaw needs to play seniors next week.

Anyone know what's up with Mulligan?

[Bornadog]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/murphy-happy-to-help-in-seagulls-win/2009/04/18/1240008831266.html

Murphy happy to help in Seagulls win


Brent Diamond | April 19, 2009

WESTERN Bulldogs forward Robert Murphy looks set to return to senior football after getting through his first game of football in Williamstown's 62-point smashing of Collingwood yesterday at Visy Park.

The 26-year-old had 10 touches on return from a shoulder operation over the pre-season but his performance was overshadowed by the impressive form of Guy O'Keefe, who snared five goals and collected 34 disposals in the 21.11 (137) to 11.9 (75) win.

Then there was enigmatic Richmond forward Jay Schulz's seven-goal heroics for the Coburg Tigers in their 74-point thrashing of Geelong. Meanwhile, reigning Frosty Miller medallist Nick Sautner booted six goals to give Sandringham an all-conquering start to the season to hold off a gritty Frankston by 30 points.

Murphy told The Sunday Age he hopes to be back in the Bulldogs line-up next week, but "it will depend on the match committee … if I need another run here, I'll do that.

"It wasn't one of my classics but I was just happy to chip in and help these guys get a win."

The raw ability of father-son selection Ayce Cordy was evident during the game as he impressed with fine aerial skills around the ground.

"I think the more he plays, the better he's getting," said Seagulls coach Brad Gotch. "We're using him through the ruck and the midfield, which we haven't done all pre-season, so he's starting to get used to it."

Wayde Skipper, Sam Reid and Williamstown-listed Ben Davies also impressed in the Seagulls onslaught to win their first match of the season.

The wheels looked shaky early for Williamstown, with the Magpies shooting to a five-goal lead at the first change through the brilliance of Chris Bryan and Chris Dawes, both snaring two each up forward.

But the Seagulls made their mark in the second quarter through courageous play from Brett Johnson, and hard tackling from Davies and Andrejs Everitt. But it was O'Keefe who arrived on the scene whenever the cause demanded. He was heavily involved in a seven consecutive goal burst to give Williamstown a 15-point lead at the main break.

Chris Egan with three goals was exceptional up forward against his former team and Matthew Little snared four to keep the Magpies at bay in the third term, for a 32-point lead at the last change, before some Skipper brilliance sealed the deal.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

We've certainly got quite a few quality kids on our list. Wood has been pretty impressive this year including his game v Essendon, Grant is showing plenty and really only needs to bulk up/build on his fitness whilst Reid/O'Keefe have been in top form so far too.

Hard to drop anyone in our side at the moment, but one bad game and you're probably out.

Good to see.

Great reports too, cheers.

[Bornadog]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

We've certainly got quite a few quality kids on our list. Wood has been pretty impressive this year including his game v Essendon, Grant is showing plenty and really only needs to bulk up/build on his fitness whilst Reid/O'Keefe have been in top form so far too.

Hard to drop anyone in our side at the moment, but one bad game and you're probably out.

Good to see.

Great reports too, cheers.

If I was to choose a player to debut it would be O'Keefe, he is looking very sharp, great disposal, gets plenty of the ball and can run all day. Last year, he was having a great first half of the season but faded a bit in the second half and missed out on his debut when the opportunity presented against Adelaide. Looking at him yesterday, you can only be nothing but impressed.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

I hope people like O'Keefe and Wood have the patience to stay with the dogs and don't get tempted towards heading off to Gold Coast. You couldn't really blame them if they moved because they weren't getting a run at AFL level despite putting in more than solid performances at VFL level.

[comrade]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

I hope people like O'Keefe and Wood have the patience to stay with the dogs and don't get tempted towards heading off to Gold Coast. You couldn't really blame them if they moved because they weren't getting a run at AFL level despite putting in more than solid performances at VFL level.

There are still 3 definite midfield spots up for grabs - Picken, Ward and Eagleton. I think those spots will be revolving this year, depending on match ups and form.

If O'Keefe, Wood and Reid are good enough, they'll force their way in and stay there.

[Bornadog]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

I hope people like O'Keefe and Wood have the patience to stay with the dogs and don't get tempted towards heading off to Gold Coast. You couldn't really blame them if they moved because they weren't getting a run at AFL level despite putting in more than solid performances at VFL level.

Both 19 years old, plenty time yet.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

I also went to the game, and I mostly agree with the reports.

Just a couple of things of note:

* Jarrad Grant is clearly a player but he's not without his faults.
He is very much in and out of games, he can look fantastic and then at times he reminds me of Richo when he cracks the you know what's. In the second half he didn't look interested at times. He copped a slight push in the back where he might of got a knock in the calf. From that moment on he was walking about with his head down and was jumping into contests late. But then something would trigger him to try hard again and he would take a nice grab and slam a tackle into the ground.
I'm also worried about his body and the way he runs.

* Mal Lynch was so cold he barely laid a touch in the first 3 quarters. He showed a little cameo with a run and a couple of shots at goal in the last when the game was over.

* Ayce Cordy is probably growing taller. He was side by side with Skipper in the huddle and was more than a half head taller than him.

* Apart from Minson and Hudson our big men really lack strength. Wight and Skipper have been around long enough and both still don't have any strength in their legs. When you are that tall, and in Skipper's case top heavy, you need leg strength to keep from getting knocked over at every contest. They all look like carrots.

* I though Wight wasn't as bad as he has been in the past. Did a couple of decent things in defence without making any real collossal blunders for once.

* Everitt was also quite good, good long kicking and held is own in defence. Still missing his run and carry that he showed in his first year though. Threw himself into some on-coming leads when he knew he would get crunched as well.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Williamstown teams Rnd 2 (1st game for Willy)

top reports guys. absoloutley terrific. Even with your comments Cyberdoggie I haven't read positive descriptions of a young tall coming through as good as that since Harris-Lake.